Monroe County partners with Spectrum
Through a $1.8 million investment from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Monroe County partnered with Spectrum to extend broadband infrastructure to previously unserved homes and businesses in rural areas. The expanded service areas include portions of Hamlin, Clarkson, Sweden, Parma, Ogden, Riga, Wheatland, Rush, Mendon, and Penfield. Spectrum contributed an additional $956,000 to the project, bringing the total investment to more than $2.7 million. The project ensures every corner of the county – including the most rural communities – now has access to Spectrum’s wireless internet service.
“High-speed internet is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity for work, school, healthcare, and staying connected,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “This investment ensures that every household and business in Monroe County, no matter how rural, has access to reliable broadband service. By partnering with Spectrum to finish the job and reach the remaining unserved areas, we’re closing the digital divide and strengthening opportunities for families, students, and employers across our community.”
“This is what real commitment to rural communities looks like. Spectrum’s network capacity allows us to activate service across multiple towns at the same time, bringing a whole county online in parallel rather than one town or street at a time. That’s how countywide coverage becomes achievable, not in years, but right now, and why residents and small businesses can count on real, measurable progress,” said Camille Joseph-Goldman, Group Vice President for Charter Communications.
The investment addresses a long-standing challenge in rural connectivity. According to U.S. Census data, nearly three out of every 10 rural households don’t have internet subscriptions.
In January 2023, County Executive Bello announced findings from a Magellan Advisors study commissioned by the Broadband Advisory Task Force. The study confirmed significant service gaps in low-income and rural areas and recommended strategic partnerships with private providers to accelerate broadband buildout. The county’s collaboration with Spectrum directly responds to those recommendations.
Spectrum has contacted the remaining unserved households and businesses identified in the study and, with property-owner permission, completed installation of the infrastructure necessary to bring them online.
While ARPA funds supported the installation of broadband infrastructure, the investment does not cover the cost of individual internet service plans. Residents seeking more information about eligibility or service availability can visit spectrum.com/internet.
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